Come on your bargain-meisters, I challenge you to spec something better than off-the-peg for that kind of money. Gears required.
Classifieds. I suppose you could buy a new on one frame then get S/H stuff to build it but you would be lucky.
absolutely classifieds - I've build various members of my family bikes for around £120 - £150 including good frame, disc brakes, reasonable groupset components...you often just need new cables and a bit of hard work to clean and relube things properly! £300 should be dead easy!
I generally find that forks are the main issue - be patient and keep refreshing the page or do a wtd with your specifics...oh and keep a daily lookout for bargins at all the shops websites...
Rigid forks.
look on ebay for very badly advertised bikes, or search title and description for parts you want.
Presuming theyr just idiots and not bike thieves theres some bargains to be had. Even if its not what your after strip em for parts and buy a frame you do want.